Ink Master: Rivals is the fifth season of the tattooing competition series Ink Master that premiered on Spike on September 2 and concluded on December 16, 2014 with a total of 16 episodes. The show is hosted and judged by Jane's Addiction guitarist Dave Navarro, with accomplished tattoo artists Chris Núñez and Oliver Peck serving as series regular judges. The winner received a $100,000 prize, a feature in Inked Magazine and the title of Ink Master.
The premise of this season was featuring tattoo artist rivals as they compete against each other in an elimination-style competition.
This season saw the returns of season three contestants Jason Clay Dunn and Joshua Hibbard, who originally finished the competition in 6th and 5th place respectively.
The winner of the fifth season of Ink Master was Jason Clay Dunn, with James "Cleen Rock One" Steinke being the runner-up.
Judging and ranking
Judging Panel
The judging panel is responsible for passing judgement on each artist. They collaborate and use information from their own perception, the audience vote, human canvas vote, and the winner's worst vote to determine who should be sent home. Weight of decisions is set by the terms of the challenge skill.
Audience Voting
Audience voting is done through Facebook and Twitter, and was introduced in season 2. In season 5, the audience vote was used in the finale episode to guarantee one of the finalists a spot in the top two.[1]
Human Canvas Jury
After the tattoos are completed, the canvases for the challenge gather and vote on the best and worst of that day's tattoos. While the primary judges have the final say, the weight of the canvas vote does affect the judging panels final decision.
Contestants
Names, experience, and cities stated are at time of filming.
^Julia, LT and Ryan won the Face-Off challenge against their rivals to determine who would stay in the competition.
^Erik won his Head-to-Head challenge, but was voted Worst Tattoo of the Day by the Human Canvas Jury.
^Cleen and Erik were the only contestants to win both of their Head-to-Head challenges.
^Don and Julia defeated Ty'Esha in the Face-Off challenge to determine who would stay in the competition.
^Erik was among the top in the challenge, but was voted Worst Tattoo of the Day by the Human Canvas Jury.
^Josh won his Head-to-Head challenge, but was disqualified from the competition.
^Mark defeated Cris in the Face-Off challenge against their rivals to determine who would stay in the competition.
The contestant won Ink Master.
The contestant was the runner-up.
The contestant was eliminated during the finale.
The contestant advanced to the finale.
The contestant was exempt from the first elimination.
The contestant won Best Tattoo of the Day.
The contestant won their Head-to-Head challenge.
The contestant was among the top.
The contestant received positive critiques.
The contestant received negative critiques.
The contestant was in the bottom.
The contestant was in the bottom and voted Worst Tattoo of the Day by the Human Canvas Jury.
The contestant was eliminated from the competition.
The contestant was voted Worst Tattoo of the Day and was eliminated from the competition.
The contestant was disqualified from the competition.
The contestant returned as a guest for that episode.
Episodes
No. overall
No. in season
Title
Original air date
US viewers (millions)
48
1
"Inking with the Enemy"
September 2, 2014 (2014-09-02)
2.83
Tag Team Tattoo: The artists have six hours to tattoo tag-team style with their rival, switching artists every hour. There is no theme given, and the artists are able to tattoo any style they like. Ty'Esha and LT, Mark and Ryan, and Caroline and Julia are called out as having the worst tattoos of the group.
Face-Off Tattoo: The three rival pairs with the worst tattoos are given four hours to tattoo an open canvas in a style chosen by their rival. Ty'Esha is assigned cursive lettering, while LT is assigned color realism. Caroline is assigned neotraditional, Julia is assigned biomechanical. Mark is assigned color realism, and Ryan is assigned Japanese.
Winning Rivals: LT, Ryan Eternal, Julia Carlson
Defeated Rivals: Ty'Esha Reels, Mark Longenecker, Caroline Evans
Eliminated: Caroline Evans
49
2
"Pin-Up Pitfalls"
September 9, 2014 (2014-09-09)
2.69
Skill of the Week: Artistry
Flash Challenge: The artists are given three hours to airbrush body paint onto semi-nude models to create a realistic pinup style outfit. Each model carries a prop to serve as inspiration for the artists. Joe Manganiello serves as guest judge.
Winner: none
Elimination Tattoo: The artists have six hours to tattoo a pinup, using the models they painted for the Flash Challenge as reference. For each week's elimination tattoo, Dave announces that at least two artists will always tattoo the same subject matter to allow the judges to compare their tattoos side by side.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Joshua Hibbard
Bottom: LT, Robbie Ripoll, Tim Lees
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: LT
Eliminated: LT
50
3
"Head to Heartache"
September 16, 2014 (2014-09-16)
2.25
Skill of the Week: Lines
Flash Challenge: Competing in teams of two, artists have 90 minutes to use match tape (tape with a line of gunpowder along it) to create a linework design on an 8 x 8 canvas which will be ignited to burn the design into the canvas. Having won the previous week's Elimination tattoo, Joshua chooses the pairings and, where possible, places rivals on the same team.
Winners: Emily Elegado and Aaron Is
Elimination Tattoo: Artists have six hours to tattoo ornamental designs on human canvases. The canvases are paired with another canvas who wants the same subject for their tattoo, and artists will be judged head to head with the person assigned their canvas' partner. BJ Betts is guest judge.
Winning Rival: Ty'Esha Reels (vs. Angel Bauta), Erik Siuda (vs. Jason Clay Dunn), Joshua Hibbard (vs. Tim Lees), Cleen Rock One (vs. Don Peddicord), Aaron Is (vs. Cris Element), Julia Carlson (vs. Emily Elegado), Mark Longenecker (vs. Jayvo Scott), Robbie Ripoll (vs. Ryan Eternal)
Bottom: Erik Siuda*, Jayvo Scott, Ryan Eternal *-despite winning his pairing, Erik is voted worst tattoo by the human canvas jury
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Erik Siuda
Eliminated: Jayvo Scott
51
4
"Geishas Gone Wrong"
September 23, 2014 (2014-09-23)
2.44
Skill of the Week: Composition
Flash Challenge: The artists compete to be chosen by only four canvases, who interview each artist before deciding who they want to tattoo a tree on them. Cleen Rock One, Joshua Hibbard, Emily Elegado, and Erik Siuda are chosen.
Winner: Erik Siuda
Elimination Tattoo: The artists have to tattoo Japanese Geishas, with emphasis on fans, flowers, and other accessory items to show composition.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Jason Clay Dunn
Bottom: Tim Lees, Cris Element, Mark Longenecker
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Cris Element
Eliminated: Tim Lees
52
5
"Glass on Blast"
September 30, 2014 (2014-09-30)
2.45
Skill of the Week: Dimension
Flash Challenge: The artists must sandblast seven panes of glass, placing a different portion of their design on each pane so that when aligned in a stack, the stack creates a 3D illusion. The artists work in teams of two, which are chosen by Jason Clay Dunn, who won last week's Elimination Tattoo. Forrest Cavacco stands in for Oliver Peck.
Winner: Cris Element and Angel Bauta
Elimination Tattoo: Artists are given six hours to tattoo a realistic animal and showcase dimension by making it pop off of the skin. Human canvases are paired with another canvas who wants the same animal subject, and artists will be judged head-to-head. Forrest Cavacco stands in for Oliver Peck, as in the Flash Challenge.
Winning Rival: Ty'Esha Reels (vs. Emily Elegado), Cleen Rock One (vs. Joshua Hibbard), Julia Carlson (vs. Mark Longenecker), Angel Bauta (vs. Ryan Eternal), Cris Element (vs. Aaron Is), Jason Clay Dunn (vs. Erik Siuda), Don Peddicord (vs. Robbie Ripoll)
Bottom: Ryan Eternal, Emily Elegado, Mark Longenecker
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Ryan Eternal
Eliminated: Ryan Eternal
53
6
"Cheek to Cheek"
October 7, 2014 (2014-10-07)
2.61
Skill of the Week: Technical Application
Elimination Tattoo: Artists are asked to create a 12-hour tattoo that covers both their human canvas' butt cheeks, six hours for each cheek.
Bottom: Robbie Ripoll, Emily Elegado, Mark Longenecker, and Jason Clay Dunn
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Mark Longenecker and Jason Clay Dunn
Eliminated: Robbie Ripoll
54
7
"Three's a Crowd"
October 14, 2014 (2014-10-14)
2.17
Skill of the Week: Fundamentals
Elimination Tattoo: The artists must tag-team an American traditional style tattoo in teams of three.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Joshua Hibbard, Emily Elegado, and Angel Bauta
Bottom: Don Peddicord, Julia Carlson, and Ty'Esha Reels
Face-Off Elimination Tattoo: The bottom three artists go head to head tattooing an American traditional design by Oliver Peck.
Eliminated: Ty'Esha Reels
55
8
"Ink My Oosik"
October 21, 2014 (2014-10-21)
1.89
Skill of the Week: Detail
Flash Challenge: The artists have three hours to etch a detailed design into an oosik (walrus' penile bone) in a scrimshaw challenge.
Winner: Aaron Is
Elimination Tattoo: The artists have six hours to create a biomechanical tattoo. Julia and her canvas are unable to come to a compromise on the design of her tattoo, and she tattoos her own leg as a result. Aaron Cain, an accomplished biomechanical artist, is guest judge.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Cleen Rock One
Bottom: Erik Siuda, Angel Bauta, Don Peddicord, and Julia Carlson
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Erik Siuda
Eliminated: Angel Bauta
56
9
"Virgin Blood"
October 28, 2014 (2014-10-28)
1.96
Skill of the Week: Adaptability
Flash Challenge: The artists must give human canvases their first tattoos. They are given three hours to work with their clients to create a meaningful design.
Winner: Erik Siuda
Elimination Tattoo: The artists must create interlocking tattoos, one on each arm, that, when joined, create a single image. Artists are assigned a partner by Erik, who won the Flash Challenge, and must tattoo the same canvas simultaneously.
Bottom: Jason Clay Dunn (vs. Cris Element), Aaron Is (vs. Emily Elegado), Julia Carlson (vs. Joshua Hibbard)
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Jason Clay Dunn
Eliminated: Julia Carlson
57
10
"Cold Blooded"
November 4, 2014 (2014-11-04)
2.22
Skill of the Week: Gradation
Flash Challenge: The artists must mix their own ink using pig's blood and paint a 6 x 8 mural, showing gradation.
Winner: Mark Longenecker
Elimination Tattoo: The artists have six hours to tattoo against the guest judge, Tommy Montoya. The subject matter is the same for everyone: Jesus Christ on the cross, in black and grey.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Joshua Hibbard
Bottom: Cleen Rock One, Mark Longenecker, Cris Element, Emily Elegado
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Cleen Rock One
Eliminated: Emily Elegado
58
11
"Up in Smoke"
November 11, 2014 (2014-11-11)
2.13
Skill of the Week: Finesse
Flash Challenge: Artists must tattoo the residual limb of an amputee.
Winner: Erik Siuda
Elimination Tattoo: Artists have six hours to tattoo their human canvas' spine. Canvases are paired with another client who wants the same subject matter, and their tattoos will be judged head-to-head.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Joshua Hibbard (vs. Jason Clay Dunn)
Bottom: Jason Clay Dunn, Don Peddicord (vs. Erik Siuda), Cris Element (vs. Cleen Rock One), Mark Longenecker (vs. Aaron Is)
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Cris Element
Eliminated: Joshua Hibbard - despite winning Best Tattoo of the Day, he admitted to smoking marijuana to help cope with his anxiety, which is a breach of contract
59
12
"Heads Will Roll"
November 18, 2014 (2014-11-18)
2.41
Skill of the Week: Placement
Flash Challenge: The artists are challenged to design a tattoo for NFL player Deangelo Williams, drawn freehand on the skin of a body double. His mother and four aunts died of breast cancer and he wants a unique piece to commemorate his loved ones. Deangelo will select a design to be drawn on his own body and, if he approves, tattooed on him. If no one's tattoo impresses Deangelo, no one will win.
Winner: Cleen Rock One
Elimination Tattoo: Every human canvas wants the same subject on the same location: a skull on their head. Artists' work will be directly compared to everyone else's. Aaron's canvas passes out partway through the tattoo and requires evaluation by the medical team. She comes back around and is cleared to able to complete the tattoo.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Cleen Rock One
Bottom: Jason Clay Dunn, Don Peddicord, Aaron Is
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Jason Clay Dunn
Eliminated: Don Peddicord
60
13
"Painstaking Portraits"
November 25, 2014 (2014-11-25)
2.28
Skill of the Week: Precision
Flash Challenge: Artists are challenged to work in teams of two to design a pair of on-ear Monster DNA headphones. The winning design will be manufactured and sold alongside Chris Nuñez' design. Cleen Rock One assigns the teams after winning the last Elimination Tattoo and pairs himself with Mark Longenecker. Cris Element is paired with Aaron Is, and Jason Clay Dunn with Erik Siuda.
Winners: Cleen and Mark
Elimination Tattoo: Artists are challenged to tattoo black and grey portraits. Human canvases are arranged in pairs, with both clients wanting the same portrait, and the canvases have brought their subjects with them. The artists' work will be judged head-to-head. Tim Hendricks is guest judge. The judges refused to choose a winner between Aaron and Cris, as they felt each of them had strengths and weaknesses that were evenly matched.
Winning Rival: Mark Longenecker (vs. Erik Siuda), Cleen Rock One (vs. Jason Clay Dunn)
Bottom: Aaron Is, Cris Element, Erik Siuda
Human Canvas Jury's Pick: Cris Element
Eliminated: Aaron Is
61
14
"Firing Squad"
December 2, 2014 (2014-12-02)
2.25
Elimination Tattoo: Artists must all tattoo a Grim Reaper on their human canvas. A panel of expert guest judges is arranged to critique the artists alongside Oliver Peck, Chris Nuñez, and Dave Navarro: Mike Rubendall, Rose Hardy, and Nikko Hurtado. There will be no human canvas jury, and Dave Navarro assigns the canvases since there is no Flash Challenge this week.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Jason Clay Dunn
Bottom: Cris Element, Mark Longenecker
Face-Off Tattoo: Jason is asked to create a stencil for a four-hour tattoo that will be completed by both Cris and Mark. He is given full control over style and subject of the tattoo.
Face-Off Winner: Mark Longenecker
Eliminated: Cris Element
62
15
"Fight to the Finale"
December 9, 2014 (2014-12-09)
2.48
Elimination Tattoo: The final four artists' versatility is tested with a random draw for style and subject. Mark Longenecker must tattoo an American traditional skull and snake. Cleen Rock One will tattoo a new school tiger. Erik Siuda pulls a black and grey rose and dagger, and Jason Clay Dunn must tattoo a Japanese pinup. Blank human canvases are randomly assigned, but Jason's canvas walks out when he finds out what the subject is, and Jason is assigned a new random canvas.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Cleen Rock One - advances to finale
Head-to-Head Tattoo: Jason, Mark, and Erik compete against each other to earn the final two spots in the finale. The contestants draw to determine who will choose the subject, and Jason Clay Dunn wins the draw. He chooses birds as the subject, but the style is up to each individual artist.
Eliminated: Mark Longenecker
Master Canvas: The artists will have 35 hours over several sessions to create a back piece for a blank human canvas. The twist? The style is chosen by each artists' two rivals, but the artists can tattoo any subject. Cleen and Erik determine that Jason will tattoo a new school piece. Erik and Jason choose color realism for Cleen. Cleen and Jason select color realism for Erik.
63
16
"Ink Live"
December 16, 2014 (2014-12-16)
3.01
In the live finale, Erik Siuda, Jason Clay Dunn, and Cleen Rock One return to present their master canvases. Jason Clay Dunn is announced the winner of Ink Master Season 5.
